Patents by Inventor Steven A. Wright

Steven A. Wright has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10213696
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 10145270
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems and methods for power peaking with energy storage. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a power plant includes a thermodynamic piping circuit having a working fluid contained therein, and the working fluid has a flow direction and a flow rate. Power plant components are interposed in the thermodynamic piping circuit. The power plant components include a compressor system, a recuperator system, a heat source, a turbine system, a heat rejection system, and a thermal energy storage system. A valving system is operable to selectively couple the heat rejection system, the thermal energy storage system, and the compressor system in thermohydraulic communication with the working fluid maintaining the flow direction and the flow rate to implement a thermodynamic cycle chosen from a Brayton cycle, a combination Brayton cycle/refrigeration cycle, and a Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Super Critical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9852645
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) independent navigation system (“GINS”) for a self-guided aerial vehicle (“SAV”). The SAV has a housing, where the housing has an outer surface, a length, a front-end, and a longitudinal axis along the length of the housing. The GINS includes a first optical sensor, a second optical sensor, a storage unit, and a comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9745899
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to tuning composition of a fluid mixture in a supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system are described herein. Compounds, such as Alkanes, are selectively added or removed from an operating fluid of the supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system to cause the critical temperature of the fluid to move up or down, depending upon environmental conditions. As efficiency of the supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system is substantially optimized when heat is rejected near the critical temperature of the fluid, dynamically modifying the critical temperature of the fluid based upon sensed environmental conditions improves efficiency of such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Wright, Paul S. Pickard, Milton E. Vernon, Ross F. Radel
  • Publication number: 20170081980
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems and methods for power peaking with energy storage. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a power plant includes a thermodynamic piping circuit having a working fluid contained therein, and the working fluid has a flow direction and a flow rate. Power plant components are interposed in the thermodynamic piping circuit. The power plant components include a compressor system, a recuperator system, a heat source, a turbine system, a heat rejection system, and a thermal energy storage system. A valving system is operable to selectively couple the heat rejection system, the thermal energy storage system, and the compressor system in thermohydraulic communication with the working fluid maintaining the flow direction and the flow rate to implement a thermodynamic cycle chosen from a Brayton cycle, a combination Brayton cycle/refrigeration cycle, and a Rankine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: SuperCritical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20170053536
    Abstract: Disclosed is A Global Positioning System (“GPS”) independent navigation system (“GINS”) for a self-guided aerial vehicle (“SAV”). The SAV has a housing, where the housing has an outer surface, a length, a front-end, and a longitudinal axis along the length of the housing. The GINS may include a first optical sensor, second optical sensor, storage unit, and comparator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: STEVEN A. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 9482117
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems and methods for power peaking with energy storage. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a power plant includes a thermodynamic piping circuit having a working fluid contained therein, and the working fluid has a flow direction and a flow rate. Power plant components are interposed in the thermodynamic piping circuit. The power plant components include a compressor system, a recuperator system, a heat source, a turbine system, a heat rejection system, and a thermal energy storage system. A valving system is operable to selectively couple the heat rejection system, the thermal energy storage system, and the compressor system in thermohydraulic communication with the working fluid maintaining the flow direction and the flow rate to implement a thermodynamic cycle chosen from a Brayton cycle, a combination Brayton cycle/refrigeration cycle, and a Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SuperCritical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9388817
    Abstract: Various technologies pertaining to causing fluid in a supercritical Brayton cycle power generation system to flow in a desired direction at cold startup of the system are described herein. A sensor is positioned at an inlet of a turbine, wherein the sensor is configured to output sensed temperatures of fluid at the inlet of the turbine. If the sensed temperature surpasses a predefined threshold, at least one operating parameter of the power generation system is altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Wright, Robert L. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20160121222
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 9316121
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems for part load control of electrical power generating systems and methods of operating a system for part load control of electrical power generating systems. A representative system includes a computer controller system operatively coupled to an electrical power generator and programmed to control a compressor inlet pressure responsive to a level of electrical power output requested of the electrical power generator, and a reservoir with supercritical fluid, responsive to the computer controller system and in fluid communication with the electrical power generating system between a compressor outlet and an expander inlet, and between an expander outlet and a compressor inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SuperCritical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9262046
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, LP
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 9032734
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SuperCritical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Joshua C. Walter, Steven A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150069758
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include systems and methods for power peaking with energy storage. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, a power plant includes a thermodynamic piping circuit having a working fluid contained therein, and the working fluid has a flow direction and a flow rate. Power plant components are interposed in the thermodynamic piping circuit. The power plant components include a compressor system, a recuperator system, a heat source, a turbine system, a heat rejection system, and a thermal energy transfer system. A valving system is operable to selectively couple the heat rejection system, the thermal energy storage system, and the compressor system in thermohydraulic communication with the working fluid maintaining the flow direction and the flow rate to implement a thermodynamic cycle chosen from a Brayton cycle, a combination Brayton cycle/refrigeration cycle, and a Rankine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8820083
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: SuperCritical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright, Robert L. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8794634
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing a machine with a first chamber and a second chamber is provided. A rotating shaft extends through the first and second chambers, and rotates therein. The seal assembly has a seal housing, a seal ring and a seal pin. The seal housing is positionable in the machine housing. The seal housing has a seal pocket extending into a fluid side thereof, and a housing receptacle extending into an inner diameter thereof at the seal pocket. The seal ring is positionable in the seal pocket of the seal housing for forming a seal therewith. The seal ring has a ring receptacle extending into an outer diameter thereof. The ring receptacle is positionable adjacent to the housing receptacle for defining a pin hole therebetween. The seal pin is loosely positionable in the pin hole whereby movement about the seal ring is accommodated while preventing rotation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Steven A. Wright, Robert L. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20140083098
    Abstract: Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Chal S. Davidson, Joshua C. Walter, Steven A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8651868
    Abstract: Data from live events is incorporated into virtual simulations and games. The data may be obtained from various sensors and transferred over a network. However, should one of the participants be a threat, then portions of the virtual simulations and games may be disabled to protect the other participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz
  • Patent number: 8582630
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing asymmetric Ethernet service are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven A. Wright, Thomas Anschutz
  • Publication number: 20130263005
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products adapt gaming applications to participants. Should one of the participants be a minor, for example, the gaming application may adapt to scenarios that are appropriate for minors. Similarly, the gaming application may adapt to customs associated with a country of a participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr
  • Patent number: 8441501
    Abstract: A method and system for adapting a virtual setting to a participant includes launching a simulation program on a computing device, evaluating a virtual profile of the participant and presenting scenarios within the virtual setting appropriate for said participant based on said evaluation, wherein at least a predetermined aspect of the virtual setting is available to the participant regardless of a result of said evaluation and the virtual setting corresponds to the simulation program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner, Steven A. Wright, Christian Kuhtz, Samuel N. Zellner, Robert J. Starr